Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Combatting Fake News and Russian Disinformation

Background:

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a U.S. government-funded nonprofit international broadcaster that provides news and information to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

RFE/RL was founded in 1949 to counter Soviet propaganda and support democratic values in the Eastern Bloc.

Combating Fake News:

In recent years, RFE/RL has played a crucial role in combating fake news and disinformation, particularly from Russia.

RFE/RL has trained its journalists to identify and debunk false information and has partnered with fact-checking organizations to verify news stories.

Examples:

• In 2020, RFE/RL debunked a Russian propaganda claim that the U.S. was developing biological weapons in Ukraine.
• In 2021, RFE/RL fact-checked a Russian Foreign Ministry statement alleging that the West was using the COVID-19 pandemic to undermine Russia.

Penal Labor:

In Russia, journalists and activists who criticize the government often face intimidation and imprisonment.

RFE/RL has covered numerous cases of journalists being subjected to penal labor in Russia, where they are forced to work in harsh conditions.

Examples:

• In 2018, RFE/RL correspondent Andrey Sazonov was sentenced to six years of penal labor for allegedly extorting money from a businessman.
• In 2022, RFE/RL contributor Sergey Reznikov was sentenced to three years of penal labor for allegedly calling for extremism in his social media posts.

Conclusion:

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty plays a vital role in combating fake news and disinformation, particularly from Russia.

The organization's journalists have been targeted by the Russian government for their work, but they continue to provide independent and accurate news to audiences in the region.